The only new builds are Block 70/72 coming out from the South Carolina line. (The one that Serniabat most likely visited recently)
So if BAF looks for newly built examples, its gonna be 70 or 72 depending on engine choice.
(The US seems to want to position the F-16V as its standard offering to allies/"worthy" nations.)
Yes, the F-16 is nearly 50 years old but so what?
It's gonna be a relevant platform for decades to come.
Either J-10C or F-16V is fine.
But given that BAF thankfully wants to transition to a Western sourced air arm, F-16V makes more sense than J-10C.
Politically, Bangladesh should be fine.
But still its important to get access to cutting edge munitions and not be limited to older generation ones. i.e Egypt and Iraq.
I think and hope TFX will end up with BAF but not for a LONG LONG time.
I'm gonna include 3 links below:
The F-16 Block 72 is the latest version of the F-16 and delivers cutting-edge technology to the Indonesian Air Force (IDAF) in the most advanced F-16 configuration on the market today.
www.lockheedmartin.com
The U.S. State Department has approved the potential sale of F-16 fighter jets, as well as Sidewinder and Harpoon missiles, to the Philippines in three separate deals with a combined value of more than $2.5 billion, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
www.reuters.com
Discover the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the world’s most capable 4th generation multirole fighter. Explore Lockheed Martin’s advanced fighter capabilities.
www.lockheedmartin.com
F-16 is an excellent choice for BAF.
The issue will be to get access to things like AMRAAM.